The Test of our Times: on Principles & Values

Mark Schweiker: Oct. 2001: Became governor when Tom Ridge entered Cabinet

I considered Schweiker an ideal successor. As former county commissioner and director of PEMA, as well as an experienced businessman, he had experience dealing with crises.

That afternoon, I said, "Mark, you've been a valued and trusted partner, and from my point of view you'd make a great governor, and that's a good things, because as of October 5 you will be."

As I told him why, his reaction was subdued. He didn't show any sense of satisfaction or delight because of the sobriety of the moment. He shook my hand and wished me the best.

Saxby Chambliss: 2002: Attacked war-hero opponent as unpatriotic, and won

Chambliss's campaign, then, used this as evidence that Cleland was unpatriotic, and way too soft on national defense. In a campaign commercial, Osama bin Laden's photo was shown followed by a portrait of Cleland--implying that the two were somehow in cahoots, or at least of like minds. Cleland went down to defeat.

It was an early and brutal example of playing the patriotism card, and set a new standard for low. But the tactic worked, and the GOP picked up a Senate seat. But in the end it was very much a pyrrhic victory. The accusation that we were playing politics was something we dealt with often, and the Georgia campaign gave those accusations a basis in fact.